ChannelLife New Zealand - Industry insider news for technology resellers
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Not a CloudCare in the world as AVG seals acquisition
Mon, 24th Jun 2013
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Following its acquisition of LPI Level Platforms, AVG Technologies has launched AVG CloudCare across ANZ to expand SMB market opportunity.

The security vendor says the deal will further boost the continued rollout of AVG CloudCare, a free, cloud-based security and IT management platform aimed at SMB customers.

“We are delighted to expand the international availability of AVG CloudCare and serve the small business customers in Australia and New Zealand,” said Mike Foreman, general manager for SMB, AVG Technologies.

“As SMB customers incorporate more technology – from eCommerce to mobile and social - their need for IT support and protection also increases.

“Because our leadership team comes from small business and channel roots, we understand what it takes to serve SMBs.

"We have worked closely with our channel partners to make sure AVG CloudCare incorporates everything they asked for and will continue to encourage their active involvement as the platform develops."

According to AVG, IT resellers targeting the small to medium sized business channel face two business challenges: their customers’ expectations often exceed their willingness to pay for services; and the technology tools available to them were originally designed for much larger customers.

Unlike rival platforms that charge up-front fees based on the number of estimated users, AVG CloudCare only charges for services that are actually used by the end customer.

"This free administration platform ticks all the boxes for our resellers," said Michael Dowling, Channel and Corporate Sales director, AVG Technologies ANZ.

"It provides a point of difference, saves them time, lowers their servicing costs and makes even the smallest customer more profitable.

"And, it’s cloud-based – cloud is where everyone is and what everyone is talking about.

“I’m very confident AVG CloudCare will have rapid pick up in Australia and New Zealand because it immediately removes the cost of standalone remote log-in packages, while providing many other services."

Done deal

The recent acquisition of LPI Level Platforms, a remote monitoring and management software company, will help the company further according to COO John Giamatteo.

“Our two companies’ share a goal of delivering a powerful cloud based IT management platform for MSPs that profoundly simplifies the way you service and protect your small business customers," he said.

“AVG is in a position to develop the LPI Level Platforms’ product portfolio and deliver a significantly enhanced product offering globally, leveraging our brand and organization to support growth.

"The technology requirements for small businesses are increasing day by day as the world migrates towards a mobile working environment.

"AVG has the infrastructure and partner base to enable customer growth in a safe, cost-effective and secure way.”

Echoing Giamatteo's comments, LPI CEO Peter Sandiford added: “Since founding the company our mission has been to establish LPI Level Platforms as the ubiquitous remote monitoring, management and automation platform for IT service providers around the world.

“By adding LPI Level Platforms software to the AVG portfolio, AVG will be in a position to deliver the most comprehensive, innovative, high quality and high performance platform for SMB’s and their MSPs in the market.”